Gary Broom, Sales, Marketing & Design Director at Sherborne Upholstery, talks about the year ahead following the successful launch of its new products.
Upholstered furniture manufacturer Sherborne Upholstery has reaffirmed its commitment to people and products as the business looks ahead to 2025 following a successful January Furniture Show.
During JFS, the Bradford-based company, which was crowned ‘Best Supplier for Customer Service’ in the Big Furniture Awards 2024, as voted by the industry, introduced a number of new products, as well as a new fabric too.
“Moving into 2025, Sherborne Upholstery are looking forwards to the challenges ahead and are confident our new launches will stand us in good stead for the coming year,” Gary said. “The addition of a head adjust on the powered and riser Comfi-sit range enhances the product to another level and gives our retailers more choice to tailor the furniture to their customer needs.
“The new stylish Leyburn suite features the head adjust feature on all powered recliners and risers, which suites it perfectly.”
Another great addition is the 2-seat lounger, as Gary continues: “The wider lounger version of the 2-seater in both fixed and recline was brought about from a conversation with one of our retailers. I’d like to think this is what they were wanting and I think it looks and sits great. I have a feeling it will be a real winner for us.”
Sherborne Upholstery, which has been a family run business for 95 years – working independently and funding itself through good and tough times, also launched an “exciting new fabric” this year too.
“Our exciting new fabric launch gives us a different look with a familiar feel,” Gary revealed. “We are always looking to elevate our ranges and after our fantastic launch last year of the Valencia fabric, which couldn’t have gone any better, this new launch sits alongside it nicely.”
After what was a challenging year for the furniture trade during 2024, Gary says that Sherborne are well-equipped and ready to take on 2025. “The cost-of-living crisis has gripped nation but having successfully launched the Cloud Comfort action on all ranges and head adjust on the Roma range mid-way through the year, along with some cost initiatives to help our retailers through these tough times, this has helped us to keep looking forwards with optimism.”
One such challenge that continues to be a persistent theme across the furniture trade is the skills shortage. Sherborne has been proactive on this front, investing in both machinery and personnel over the last few years.
“There is still a lack of skills that are needed in the furniture trade,” continues Gary. “We have been training in-house for a while now to ensure we have the right skill sets moving forward. “The need to multi-skill is paramount which benefits the company but ensures progress in people’s abilities and secures their futures.
“We have invested heavily in machinery in the past few years to keep us up to date with efficiencies and technology. More recently, people are our biggest investment, ensuring a younger, dynamic group are pushing through to enhance the future at Sherborne Upholstery.”
Well-known and respected in the furniture industry, and renowned for comfort and quality at an affordable price, Sherborne aims to be the company retailers think of first when they are looking for a partner to work with to help their business flourish.
“This year has started encouragingly and we look forward to working with our customers,” Gary said.
